Padilha, Meirelles back Nossa

Brazilian production companies launch distribution venture

Spurred by the self-distribution success of “Elite Squad: The Enemy Within,” helmer Jose Padilha has teamed up with Fernando Meirelles’ O2 Filmes and three other Brazilian producers as well as a team of indie distrib execs to form joint venture, Nossa Distribution.

The other firms in the venture are Conspiracao Filmes, Morena Filmes and Lereby Prods. Nossa was presented at a press conference Tuesday during the Rio Film Festival, which runs until Oct. 18.

“The distribution business model in Brazil is changing and this is just the beginning,” Lima said.

Nossa offers an alternative to producers who seek greater control of their pics’ theatrical distribution in Brazil.

“From the outset, the producers will raise money for both production and p&a,” he said. This will allow them to keep the rights to all windows and increase their revenues. Instead of a commission, Nossa will charge a fixed fee.

First pic out the gate will be Marcos Prado’s feature debut “Artificial Paradise,” which is due to bow next year. Prado is Padilha’s producing partner at Zazen Prods. and a partner at Nossa, who produced most of Zazen’s major pics including Padilha’s semi-fictional Swat team thriller “Elite Squad,” its sequel “Elite Squad: The Enemy Within” and Padilha’s breakout hit “Bus 174.” “Elite Squad: The Enemy Within” is the biggest earning Brazilian pic of all time, having grossed close to $60 million out of 11.3 million admissions. Brazil’s entry to the Foreign Oscars race, the pic surpassed James Cameron’s “Avatar,” which grossed $57 million out of 9 million admissions in Brazil due to higher 3D ticket prices.

Padilha is developing the remake of “Robocop” and drug crime drama “Tri-Border.”